Join internationally respected dance ethnologist Helene Eriksen on a journey to the heart of the Silk Road, Uzbekistan, to luxuriate in the dances, costumes and music of the Central Asian desert region.

You’ll see all the classic sites, such as Samarkand’s UNESCO-listed Registan Square, but this specialized journey is handcrafted specifically for people who are ready to learn the dance movements of the Silk Road and who love the arts and handicrafts of the people who call this region home. Benefit from the knowledge that your host has accumulated from more than 35 years of researching, dancing and teaching the dances of Uzbekistan.

MIR Signature Experiences on this Tour

Hear the sounds of Central Asian musical instruments

Samarkand, Uzbekistan

Visit a small private museum where you can hear the curator, Bobur, play typical Central Asia instruments, such as the doira, a large tambourine that is beaten like a drum, and the three-stringed tanbour.

This special departure is for the dance enthusiast interested in the dances, costumes, music and musical instruments of the Silk Road. The tour program focuses on the classic sights of Uzbekistan, as well as performance halls, hidden workshops, madrassahs and pocket museums where the vivid visual and performing arts of the region can be found.

Itinerary & Highlights at a Glance

Day 1: Tashkent

In Uzbekistan’s capital, Tashkent, explore the house-museum of one of the country’s most notable folk dancers, and browse the Applied Arts Museum, featuring the painted carved plaster called ganche, carved wood, and tile work. Exhibits include the Uzbek embroidered wall coverings called suzani, ceramics, jewelry, rugs, and musical instruments.

Day 2-7: Bukhara

Take the fast Afrosiab train to the Silk Road oasis of Bukhara. Wander the labyrinth of cobbled streets in the heart of the Old Town, seeing the classic sights. Attend master classes with Ms. Lilia Muradova, who will teach on different styles of Central Asian dance, culminating in an evening performance at the Gaukushon Caravanserai, accompanied by Bukharan Shahmaqam musicians.

Highlights

Bukhara’s atmospheric Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site

Lyabi-Hauz Plaza, center of Bukhara’s Old Town

Fashion show and folklore concert at Divan Begi Madrassah

Ark Citadel, Bukhara’s ancient fortress

Dance classes with Ms. Lilia Muradova at the Bukhara Philharmonic, culminating in an evening performance at Gaukushon Caravanserai

Days 8-9: Samarkand

Take a half-day train ride to UNESCO-listed Samarkand. Here in Tamerlane’s blue-tiled capital, hear a private museum curator play typical Central Asia instruments, such as the doira, a large tambourine that is beaten like a drum; learn to cook the country’s signature dish, plov, in a family home; and enjoy a fashion show introducing the national costumes of Uzbekistan.

Highlights

Samarkand, a UNESCO World Heritage Site called “Crossroads of Culture”

Registan Square, Samarkand’s most famous landmark

Dinner and conversation in a private Uzbek home

Demonstration of traditional musical instruments in a private museum located in a madrassah

Days 10-11: Darband Village via Shahrisabz

Set out for Darband Village, stopping first in UNESCO-listed Shahrisabz, Tamerlane’s hometown, to see the remains of Ak Saray, or White Palace. Continue to Darband, passing through the Iron Gates. Pay a visit to the home of local Darband resident Shavkat Turdikulov, the great-grandson of a Silk Road caravan merchant. Admire the steep red cliffs of the "Grand Canyon" of Darband, and visit Boysun, one of the oldest inhabited places in Central Asia.

Days 12-13: Tashkent via Termez, Sairob

Drive to Termez, pausing in the little village of Sairob to see its thousand-year-old plane trees. Termez, near the Uzbek-Afghan border, celebrated its 2,500th anniversary in 2001. Explore the Buddhist monastery complexes of 2nd century Kara Tepe and 1st century Fayez Tepe. Visit the 11th and 12th century Sultan-Saodat complex, honoring the graves of the Termez sayids, or holy men. Fly to Tashkent for a farewell dinner.

This special departure is for the dance enthusiast interested in the dances, costumes, music and musical instruments of the Silk Road. The tour program focuses on the classic sights of Uzbekistan, as well as performance halls, hidden workshops, madrassahs and pocket museums where the vivid visual and performing arts of the region can be found.

2019 Dates

What’s Included

On Your Tour

Shared accommodations in well-located middle class hotels throughout the journey.

Meals as listed in itinerary and bottled water at group meals. A few meals are not included so that you may enjoy a chance to experiment on your own.

Services of an experienced, English-speaking MIR Tour Manager with local guides at specific sites.

Group arrival/departure transfers. MIR will arrange for travelers to be met on arrival and seen off on departure whether we make your airfare arrangements or not, provided you arrive and depart on the tour start/end dates in the tour start/end cities.

Transportation throughout itinerary by private van or motorcoach or van (size of vehicle depends on group size).

Guided sightseeing tours and entrance fees as outlined in itinerary.

Special events, excursions and cultural performances per the itinerary.

Before Your Tour

Personalized pre-departure support from one of our knowledgeable Tour Specialists.

This special departure is for the dance enthusiast interested in the dances, costumes, music and musical instruments of the Silk Road. The tour program focuses on the classic sights of Uzbekistan, as well as performance halls, hidden workshops, madrassahs and pocket museums where the vivid visual and performing arts of the region can be found.

Prepare for Your Trip

International Airfare

MIR's in-house, full-service air department will gladly assist with your air travel needs.

Is this Trip Right for You?

This trip is moderately active, and rated moderate to rigorous touring due to the daily walking involved and the overall shortcomings of the tourism infrastructure. To reap the full rewards of this adventure, travelers must be able to walk at least a mile a day, keeping up with fellow travelers.

A full list of details about the rigors of this tour are explained in the Detailed Descriptive Itinerary.

Read our Travel Journals

A MIR traveler set out with her traveling companion on our Essential Uzbekistan program, where they enjoyed the sites and crafts of Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva as well as the many fabulous fabrics, carpets, tilework and adornments she found there. Take the journey along with her as you read her fascinating comments on this adventure.... Read More

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